You know the parable about the seeds and the soil?
I was reading this parable yesterday — you know, some seeds [God’s Word] fell along the path and were trampled [Satan snatched away the Word from those before they believed and were saved]; some fell on the rock [they believed but fell away once hard times hit]; some fell among thorns [choked as they grew]; and some fell on good soil [believers like you and me, right?].
As I read, I got hung up on Jesus’ explanation of the seeds that fell among thorns. “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked…”
Choked until they don’t believe anymore, right? These are the plants who fall away from God, just like the ones grew among rocks–right? Because I’ve read this story like a hundred times and the first three examples are of people who don’t stick with their faith, and the fourth an example of the ones who do stick with it.
Right?
“…as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life…”
Okay, yeah, I wouldn’t necessarily have thought that would be what choked them, but sure. They’re tantalized by what the world has to offer and they fall away. It happens.
“…choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Right. That’s what I said: “And they withered and fell away.”
“…and their fruit does not mature.”
“And they didn’t bear fruit because they withered and fell away.”
“…and their fruit. did. not. MATURE.”
Wait. What did you say?
They didn’t fall away?
You mean they’re still … believers?
“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” (v. 14)
And I’m all like — “Huh. Well, now that you mention it, that kind of sounds like … me.”
And I start thinking — how many of us Christians think we’re plants living the good life in the good soil, when we’re really making our homes among brambles and thorns?
How many believers, other than me, let worries and anxieties, or making an idol of wealth and just the pleasures of this life crowd out – choke out – our capacity to bear mature fruit for God’s kingdom?
These plants were choked. Not to death–just to the point till there’s nothing left for bearing fruit. No joy. No peace. No love. No self control, patience, gentleness. No kindness or goodness. (To reference Paul’s list of spiritual fruit found in Galatians.)
And what is life without joy and peace and love?
It’s not full, I can tell you that much.
I’ve been struggling this past year to figure out where to find real joy. After the hubbub of going to college, graduating, getting married, getting pregnant, and having a baby died down, it was strangely empty inside my heart. And it’s not like I’d recanted my faith or anything, so I was also struggling with wondering what am I doing wrong? I know what I’m searching for somehow is found in Christ, but I’m just … not … finding it there. And I felt like I was looking there — looking to him for the fullness I sought (I was reading my Bible and stuff, after all) — but often feeling a little heartbroken over my consequential emptiness. It was depressing.
Then last week at Life Group a dear-heart said something which went like an arrow straight to my soul. “You know,” she said, “I think the abundant life Christ promised believers is found in obedience.” She said when she’s living in obedience to the Word and the Spirit, those are the most full times in her life — even if they’re nothing particularly special. Times of real joy and abundance.
And I realized, when is the last time I even thought about obeying Christ?
Because, you know, if you actual read what Jesus said during his life, it’s kind of like “Whoaaa…okay, well, You can’t actually expect me to do that. That’s like basically impossible! I’ll just do some of this other stuff you mentioned that I’m comfortable with.” And in doing so, I kind of write off the lordship of my Lord and end up living in the weeds instead of abiding in the Vine.
And obeying the Spirit’s promptings in my life? Well, a lot of times these “promptings” are not very convenient. And following them would involve some legit discipline and complete trust. And, well, it doesn’t seem like something God would really care about at all! So I normally just write those promptings off as me just telling myself to do (or not do) random stuff.
So after Life Group, I went to find a few verses I knew were hanging around in the New Testament. Verses that are all like, “Alright believer–this is the real deal. Quit fooling yourself.”
John 15:10, “If you keep my commandments, you abide in my love.”
Jn. 15:12, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
1 Jn. 2:5b-6, “By this we know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
And about the Spirit’s promptings:
1 Jn. 2:20-21, “…but you have been anointed by the Holy One and you have all knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”
And just to bring this all full circle (because you’ve stuck with me for so long, it’s the least I can do) —-
The plants in the good soil? They’re the ones who are abiding in Christ through obedience. They are those who, “hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart” (Jn. 8:15). And they, in turn, bear fruit with patience.
It’s not loud or flashy or impressive. It’s more mundane and quiet and heart-wrestling-difficult and a lot of times looks like whispered prayers of “God, I can’t do that, I don’t want to do that, but if you want me to, just get me there.”
Let me tell you, though — these seeds in the good soil? They are living the good life.
It’s the abundant life.
Scattered in all Directions 